The head of U.S. special operations has contacted members of the covert Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden to reconfirm some details of the al Qaeda leader's last moments conveyed in a new book, and military officials have concluded the author's account was not accurate, CNN has learned.

Adm. William McRaven took the extraordinary action more than a year after the May 2011 raid in Pakistan in response to "No Easy Day," authored by former SEAL Matt Bissonnette, who tells about his participation in the operation.

In a dramatic passage, Bissonnette said that bin Laden was on the floor when he and other SEALs entered his room in the safe house in Abbottabad, having been shot by another SEAL when he had peeked his head into the hall as the team approached.

Bin Laden's body lay at the foot of the bed, twitching and convulsing, the book said, adding that the SEALs, including the author, shot him again until he was motionless.

That account differs from what U.S. officials have said publicly since the raid.

McRaven, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, went back to the team - including the lead SEAL, or "point man" - in recent days to make sure Bissonnette did not have any information they did not know about.

Senior Pentagon officials, who declined to speak for attribution because of the sensitivity of the matter, told CNN they have now concluded Bissonnette was wrong.

Bin Laden, they said, was standing in the room when the SEALs entered and they shot him, believing he posed a direct threat, given there were weapons in the room.

Although bin Laden was unarmed, the SEALs had encountered hostile fire in the house before entering his room and he showed no signs of surrendering.

The officials CNN spoke with said it was possible Bissonnette, who was a few seconds behind the lead SEAL, never saw bin Laden standing.

It is not clear from accounts already made public if the initial shots fired by the lead SEAL - when bin Laden looked out of the room - actually hit him. One Navy official told CNN the belief is those shots missed.

Another passage causing concern in the Pentagon has been the fate of the only U.S. soldier from the war in Afghanistan currently held captive.

The parents of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl were briefed on Thursday by the military about the book's contents because it contains several pages in which the author says he was on a secret mission to rescue their son.

US Army Col. Timothy Marsano, the military liaison to the family, confirmed to CNN that the Bergdahls know about the passages and are declining to comment publicly.

The book has triggered a firestorm of controversy over the author's decision to detail the bin Laden raid. Pentagon officials are also concerned that any discussion of Bergdahl, who was captured in 2009, could put him at risk.
Military officials have privately said for some time that they believe he is being held in Pakistan by members of the Haqqani network, but have not discussed details because he is still a captive.

"We are still searching for Bowe Bergdahl and any public discussion of our ongoing efforts is not helpful," one senior U.S. official said.

This official, who also spoke on the condition of not being identified, and others said the concern is insurgents might learn any detail from the book about hostage rescue techniques.

Several military officials have told CNN there was never sufficient intelligence about Bergdahl's location to mount a full rescue attempt although they conducted many searches inside Afghanistan.

But Bissonnette said there was a tip Bergdahl might be in a compound south of Kabul about a month after Bergdahl was captured and a mission ensued.

After a firefight, Bissonnette says "there was no sign of Bergdahl, but we figured he had to be somewhere nearby. There were too many fighters here, and they were well armed."

soundoff(1,043 Responses)

FBI fabricate evidence, steal from suspects and use murder to close those bad cases.

How is it that 12 of the 9/11 terrorists could live for 2 weeks just 2 miles from NSA head quarters in Maryland.This after several of them had taken flight simulator lessons on Jumbo jet trainers and several of them where on State department terror watch lists.

There is evidence that employees from the FBI accepted bribes from Al Quida.

If FBI employees where more concerned with doing their jobs than enriching themselves by stealing from suspects and taking bribes, then there might have been more a chance that 9/11 had never happened.

It is likely that several corrupt FBI employees are partially responsible for the death of 3200 from the 9/11 attacks and the 100's of thousands from the follow up wars.

How many people in this forum have actually even read this book? I have.

The man criticism for the author is that he wrote this book in order to gain fame, notoriety and money, right? But (1. He penned it under a pseudonym and 2.) is donating "most" of the proceeds to charities that support the families of fallen SEALS. In his book, he even stated that he didn't want to sign the flag that the SEAL team presented to Obama because he didn't want his name attached to the mission in fear of retaliation... in case the flag were to be displayed publicly somewhere.
I'm not sure how someone looking for fame would use a fake name right on the front cover of his book.The author stated that his motivation for writing the book was to correct all of the erroneous accounts of a historic event being butchered by the media.
I have also finished reading "SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper" by Howard E. Wasdin and it seems like most of the SEAL team maneuvers, strategy and tactics in "No Easy Day" are already covered by Wasdin as well as other writings and accounts.

It is more PC for the Pentagon to say that OBL was killed because he posed a threat, not that he was unarmed and didn't even have a bullet in the chamber of his weapon as reported in "No Easy Day"

he gives specifics accounts in the book of media mis-reporting and inaccurate accounts from those interviewed (you'll have to read it I guess) when he returned to the US from the operation. He clarifies in the afterword that he wanted to set the record of events straight to the best of his ability and that was the motivation for the book.

September 8, 2012 at 6:47 pm |

tinhorn

he uses a fake name for himself but not when talking about the subject of one of their top secret missions?

yes, I think he should have used a fake name for Sgt. Bergdahl or left that part out if it does if fact complicate or compromise any future missions. He uses fake names for himself and all of the other people in the story needing anonymity.

the INCREDIBLE thing that everyone keeps forgetting is, if you're always doing what's right, there's no reason to keep any secrets. call it safety if you want, secret-keepers just have problems with responsibility.

Because Obama didn't watch it as it happened lol. That was made clear around the next day or so. The feed cut out for about 20 minutes or so. Plus the helmet cams they had conveniently messed up too...so they didn't get any of that either lol.

There are at least 3 areas in the book that are highly classified. The actual Killing of Bin Laden was not one of them. I found the book intelligently written, but only from the standpoint that it was written to make a lot of money. Like a movie script. There is so much more to the life of a SEAL that is interesting, killing is the easy part.

Since it is now published, all of it is now declassified by the author's fiat.

His failure to follow procedure and get it approved, he alone opened the pandora's box. Potentially releasing information to our adversaries, and most definitely sets a bad example of not following orders in handling classified information, and being ex-military ex-SEAL double down damns it.

Any body recall the last time an ex government employee publish a book on classified ops and NOT get it cleared?
It does not happen often.

I really do NOT care how he was killed at all. The truly important thing is that this monster no longer exists. Is this book some kind of an apology for killing him?

And no, I have not read the book, do not need to waste my time and money reading the book, and have absolutely no desire to read the book. I do not care if he was standing, kneeling, or even running away, the important thing is this monster no longer plagues the world! I am equally certain that the relatives of the vast majority of the over 3,000 innocent Americans (and even some diplomats from Arabic countries) that died on 9/11/2001 at the WTC, are happy he is dead, regardless of just what it took to kill him, or how he died, the monster was pure evil and need to be eliminated from the human gene pool forever!

Tell me, do some on here think that if the Russians entering Berlin and Hitler's bunker had actually found him alive, they would not have killed him regardless of what he was doing at the time!!

September 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm |

STINGER

I'm with Frodo on this, I don't care if he was taking a du.mp and I don't care if they killed him with a million paper cuts, OBL is dead and that's all that matters about that.

September 9, 2012 at 3:01 am |

thebeast

There are at least 3 areas in the book that are classified...The actual Killing of Bin Laden was not one of them...I found the book intelligently written, but only from the standpoint that it was written to make a lot of money...Like a movie script...There is so much more to the life of a SEAL, that is interesting, killing is the easy part.

Yeah....there's too much of this GOP BS of NOT giving Obama any credit. Typical....typical. BUT no matter, most of us know he did a good job from a military standpoint. The GOP wants to over-rate themselves fron a military and religious direction.....everybody else is suppose to be lacking and unknowing.

Al Gore was one of a number of critical people who created the Internet. He was a leading advocate in congress to fund it and getting it on the fast track of govt policy. back when most people could not spell the word, because few people heard of it. He was not the only person in congress, but he took the lead and stuck with it. As opposed to you cut and run guys from Republistan.

The FBI fabricate evidence, steal from suspects and use murder to close those bad cases.

How is it that 12 of the 9/11 terrorists could live for 2 weeks just 2 miles from NSA head quarters in Maryland.This after several of them had taken flight simulator lessons on Jumbo jet trainers and several of them where on State department terror watch lists.

There is evidence that employees from the FBI accepted bribes from Al Quida.

If FBI employees where more concerned with doing their jobs than enriching themselves by stealing from suspects and taking bribes, then there might have been more a chance that 9/11 had never happened.

It is likely that several corrupt FBI employees are partially responsible for the death of 3200 from the 9/11 attacks and the 100's of thousands from the follow up wars.

Stick with the voices. Meds are for sissies.
You know what is going on.
You have the best conspiracy, better than the god tinhorn.
When you get tired working on this conspiracy, the voices got more, like 9/11 never happened it was a big 3d movie like what happened to the people in the matrix movie. You can fly, try it.

Maybe the fact that over 200,000 people live in the same area has something to do with it? And maybe because we were not so security aware then as we are now has something to do with it? Or maybe, just maybe .... you are too stupid to try to figure this out in between your online porn searches.

Come on you liberal...admit it...the book is making your soon to be voted out President look bad. Already read the book so too late. Obama is the one playing politics with our military and that borders on treason not this book.

Unfortunately for you, Mitt The Liar and Lyin Ryan have assured that Mr. Obama will be in the
White House for another four years.

As for the book, it suggests incompetence and a pattern of lies on the part of the military. Therefore, it is not Obama who is looking bad...it is the military. And if those accusations are deliberately false, it is treason on the part of the author. If they are true, it is treason on the part of the military.

September 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm |

Methuselah

TMONEY, your hatred of POTUS is your rhetorical undoing. I'm not one of his voters and clearly this writer used the book for political aim based in his hatred of the same man. If you actually followed these facts, read his book, and knew the big picture (which is available to you), you'd see nothing new was offered in this book except a former SEAL using his role to attack his former Commander in Chief. The previous president ignored them, according to him. Yet, they didn't wave their flags then, did they. I'm not impressed with Bissonette's shallow political view any more than I see credibility in your argument by couching it in clearly biased terms. Obama is a GOP wet dream. He spends via Military what was always spent, he deports more than Bush, he didn't move Gitmo, he stills holds captives who are cleared of charges...you should be gushing, you twit.

September 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm |

kamanakapu

America has always been a racist nation and will continue to be so until the white male population declines further. Had the white women been able to freely employ contraception and abortion methods the white male would have been fifth with respect to population status in america.

September 8, 2012 at 3:31 pm |

bergus

the book is an american utilizing his first amendment. if you don't believe in that, what do you think we're fighting for?

Minimum, as an exceptionally trained officer in SecOps, he disobeyed direct orders and did not have it approved before publication. Forget what it says about Obama, does not matter. His job is not to make the final decision on matters of classified strategic information. He should know that, and if he does not know that he should have never been a SEAL or worked with classified information. This is boiler plate security 101, what you know is not the big picture, you cannot possibly know how it is going to effect things you have no idea about, now or in the future. That is why thereis a approval process.

Further, he sets a bad example to rank and file in the military and for people who work with classified GOVT information, by flouting these rules which are central to the process of the govt trying to manage secret information.

If anyone thinks what is guy did is OK, THAT PERSON SHOULD NEVER HAVE A SECURITY CLEARANCE.

Yet you will defend the white house releasing the same type of information for political benefit. The amateur in the white house has released much more damaging information so that it would benefit his political fortunes and Americans are supposed to sit by and not comment.

September 8, 2012 at 5:58 pm |

Tomini ain't POTUS

Regardless of dem or rep, the POTUS is the final arbiter on matters of classified information. With a stroke of a pen, hatever he says, his call, not mine, not yours, not the courts or the congress. His call. You may not like it, he might be wrong, he might know something we don't know which makes it a good decision. He can hold the helmet video, publish photos, go on TV with the SEAL team with mission accomplished sign. It is his call legally, him lone, top of the heap, buck stops there.

As for republicans, bush could easily declassified that Plame was a CIA agent. Instead Cheney did it, and he don't and his staff do not have the power. POTUS makes the call, get used to it.

September 8, 2012 at 6:16 pm |

The real issue

Tomini you can armchair comment all you want, it is a first amendment right.

But if you have a security clearance and reveal classified information intentionally, go to prison.
Reveal it accidentally not following procedure, loose your job.
Reveal it accidentally following procedure, report it and improve the procedure.

There is only one exception, which might still get you in prison, which is to expose a criminal conspiracy.

September 8, 2012 at 6:27 pm |

Unowhoman

Hmmm, the Navy allows the Seals to make a movie but a former Seal can't write a book which he says doesn't release any secret info. Just what can I get for all of the taxes that I pay besides a rover landing on Mars??? Health care, no they don't want people to have that even though they may paid taxes for 20 years! If everything is such a threat why is are both borders unsecure? Too many secrets aren't good in the land of the FREE and home of the Brave...

Not the point. Whether he believes the info to be open to the public or not, as a member of the military under non-disclosure orders anything he writes must go before a review board to determine what can be published. He didn't do that. Act of Valor used some active duty SEALs but was a complete work of fiction approved by the DoD. So your entire argument is nonsense. Next time try knowing what you're talking about first.

We was a new height is being low and or a new level of ignorance. I never thought I would see people believing the insane argument that stopping 396,000 entries from Mexico last year was doing nothing. If figure in conservative culture were looking idiotic seems to be very fashionable these days that conservatives can't figure out that resources aren't finite. What we can do at the border is limited by the money Congress funds for border enforcement. This is too complicated to figure out?

Conservative cultural is amazing. We have a conservative es who couldn't even figure out that the conservative culture whose members couldn't figure out that is was a lie that a beer drinking Obama wasn't following Islam. All conservatives do is whine and complain. No wonder everyday more Americans just tune their crying out.

No wonder you Dems are fighting to lower the cost of education!!! You could use some more!!!! Nice grammar!!!! Learn that in the hood???

September 8, 2012 at 3:31 pm |

Methuselah

The Military can make whatever movie it wants and that does not give the right to a lone soldier to release classified information. It is bad logic to equate official propaganda, with his low level shallow political snipe.

1) he published his book, it is on amazon.
2) unlike the thousands of books, magazine articles, Tv and movies involving classified govt info. You have a security clearance, you got together it reviewed and approved. It happens every day, for the last ten decades. This author did not do that, I cannot recall any others in the last 20 years. That is the issue; now you can go back to your fantasy.

September 8, 2012 at 5:39 pm |

Methuselah Does not spout BS

Misread your post, my mistake.

We are on the same page. When you get a security clearance, it is not your right to publish the info without it being reviewed and approved, by law with severe penalties attached. The only exception, which is a duty not a right, is to reveal classified information because it is a criminal activity operating under cover abusing security infrastructure. Which is no guarantee you will not go to prison, loose you job, or have an easy life.

September 8, 2012 at 5:50 pm |

ironwolf56

You know, if this is CYA PR from the military, we really don't care on this one. It's Osama bin Laden, if anyone deserved to get two in the back in the head "just in case" it was him. We don't need a sanitized version of "oh rules of engagement were followed see?"

If there were less secrecy about intelligence operations, maybe we could avoid the very existence of things like the Haqqani network and Osama bin Laden, both of whom were originally supported, outfitted and funded by the CIA itself. We create our own monsters, and we're surely still doing it right now, crafting our enemies to go fight 20 years from now.

Lets extradict BISSONETTE to AL QAEDA (together with some bloggers as OSAXONO, if possible) to submit him to trial for complicity to murder a poor, innocent, benevolent guy as OSAMA (Father Thereso) BIN LADEN

I don't understand how most of you can sit here and critisize in regards to this dude, publishing what happened to Bin Landen, when 99.9% of you have probably asked what really happened and how it happened since he was killed, and now that someone is shedding light (and lets say maybe not 100% accurate) but some light, you are all blasting the guy.. and what I love the most is the fact that this whole subject became an OBAMA issue. As a current serving member of the Military, yeah I believe it sucks that he might publish some details, but like most of you I do want to know what happened. I recommend you all read Killing Bin Laden, by Dalton Fury, it also give insight on the first days of OIF and what SOCOM did in the region. Plus the guys served and protected you while MOST OF YOU HAVE NEVER SERVED IN YOUR MILITARY...

I begin to question whether the guy was actually there, or if he was just detailed to guard duty during the mission. Certainly, by its timing, this does bear some of the marks of the "swift-boating" campaign. Remember that?

I serve. There is such a thing called a chain of command, disclosure agreements and then just the common decency not to further endanger our troops by publishing a book that reveals our tactics and procedures while also enraging the enemy. This was a money decision by the author who decided that he was not paid enough for his role in a historic moment and needed to produce a bestseller at the possible expense of another American. I guess they Killed bin laden all by themselves. There were no intel people helping, no planning sessions, no pilots taking them to the location, no interaction from the state department, just a couple of cowboys who dropped in and killed a man we have been looking for for almost 30 years.

well said. that's the reason i don't give credit to any politician. who cares about the GOP or the Dems... everyone has been practically bathing with the pakistani's up until this incident.

September 8, 2012 at 4:11 pm |

jay

Thank you for your services to this country, Mr. Ryan.

September 9, 2012 at 2:02 am |

Cetus

I retired from the Navy after 21 years and I don't understand how you, as a "current serving member of the Military (sic)" can defend this "dude". He's in violation of too many rules and regulations to count. Perhaps today's military has less regard for following the rules than in my day, or maybe it's just that you don't give a fat rat's patootie about future missions being put in jeopardy by someone who's supposed to have your back, but who's really only interested in making a buck from his participation in a high profile mission.

Tomini, I'll give you the fact Clinton didn't serve in Nam. But to complain about Obama who was born in '61 not serving is ridiculous. This country was extremely conflicted about the Viet Nam war and the draft. In fact, I volunteered to drive my brothers to Canada if their numbers were called. Fortunately for all, that was not required!

September 9, 2012 at 2:07 am |

jay

I forgot to mention that Prince Harry is in Afghanistan at the moment, on deployment to fly Apache helicopters.

September 9, 2012 at 2:09 am |

George

And Obama? He did not serve either. It does not matter how or why they did not serve, they were all made of the same mold. You may want to recheck your facts on Regan though, unless you are planning on rewriting history.

September 9, 2012 at 10:25 am |

STINGER

I'm guessing you are what CCC's and Recruiters refer to as lower mental group.

The more I hear about parts in this book the more disgusted I become. This man went against his vow to the country just to get money and his name out there. There was no other agenda, simple and plain. I hope legal action follows because he's giving good SEALs who understand their duties to their country and military personnel period, a bad name.

Lets not forget Obama and his administrations leaks of classified info. Obamas administration forced the family members of Team six to go into federal witness protection programs because he blabed all about it...just to get some brownie points from the American public.

This author deserves a court marshal. He is an embarrasment to all of us who served.

September 8, 2012 at 12:40 pm |

craigu

obama did'nt reveal the names of a single seal team member. FOX revealed this guys name because he decided to try and get rich off his service to his country

September 8, 2012 at 12:44 pm |

JOSH P.

Did they divulge Valerie Plane name a s well.

September 8, 2012 at 12:58 pm |

ted T.

And where, may I ask, did you get your information from?

September 8, 2012 at 1:13 pm |

Cetus

This is a gross rationalization. Other people's actions are not a justification for disobeying the law and violating military regulations. What Obama or anybody else did has no bearing on whether you follow the regs that you've sworn an oath to follow.

September 8, 2012 at 1:34 pm |

zizewitz

I have a simple suggestion: The US authorities should extradict BISSONETTE (together with the lowlife blogger OXASONO) to AL QAEDA , so they can judge him for complicity of heartless murdeing a poor, indefense and good individual as BIN LADEN

Obama and McCain got together on the Moammar Qadaffi advernture – finally after 40 years of spitting in the face of America – we can now ask, Moammar, are you better off today than you were 4 years ago? No one got you until Obama and McCain pledge support for Libya's rebels. NOBODY.

except we know for a fact that is a lie. the whole operation was video taped and the whitehous and national security team watched it live. nice try rewriting history

September 8, 2012 at 12:45 pm |

Bernard Brennan

Wow you need to go to your nearest mental hospital and check your self in because you are insane. Obama was brave to make the call on 50/50 evidence. This book puts our special opps in harms way. Yes I did read it too. This man is a bigot and a disgrace to our brave and wonderful troops.

September 8, 2012 at 3:36 pm |

RightMinded

@Osanaxo You are an ignorant ignoramus if you really believe your own BS. You obviously have never served in the upper echelons of the military, NOTHING and I mean NOTHING as important as the Bin Laden mission gets launched without the approval of POTUS. Unless a general wants to risk a court martial or worse, for subjugation of the command chain. Stop sewing utter nonsense please.

September 8, 2012 at 7:57 pm |

RustyHinges8

The Department of Justice should stop messing around with Bissonnette, and begin legal action. Treason may not quite fit his infractions, but sedition maybe closer... and he should definitely spend some time in prison for breaking his military undisclosure contract with the Navy during wartime....or let's put him in a room with his SEAL commrades, and see if they can "persuade" him to confess WHY he wrote the book in the first place. That might be more interesting than the killing of bin Laden.

A fish rots from the head. Obama set the precedent, it is ok to divulge classified information as long as you benefit.

September 8, 2012 at 6:16 pm |

Splitting hairs

I don't care if bin Ladin was on his knees and begging for mercy, he got the same justice that all those Americans got on 9/11. Before, everyone was arguing that bin Ladin wasn't even dead, now you are arguing about the particulars of his death. The only thing that bothers me is Bowe Bergdahl, he should have left him out of the book. I do marvel that the author wanted to keep his real name under wraps, did he really think that would happen? If he has nothing to be ashamed about then we should all know who he is, if he was worried about his safety then why did he write about Bowe, someone else who's safety could potentially be compromised. Makes me wonder.............

The author's "attempt" to remain anonymous was simply a PR campaign to drum up interest and sales of the book. That tactic created buzz and eventually led to (paid) interviews to further publicity. Funny how the media can be a source of free advertising, isn't it?

I think the truth or falsehood of the story this man tells is less important than the lives of other soldiers. This man lost his focus and devalued the oaths he took. He is a traitor to his fellow soldiers in exchange for what? The truth about a story getting out? I think more likely it is few pieces of silver at issue here. Too bad. A stain on the SEALS.

This book should never have been written. It violates so many of the SEAL codes of conduct, which do not stop when a SEAL retires from the service. Just the idea that this guy would write a book about this operation calls his credibility and judgment into question.

I believe the book as well, Hell the government is not truthful and they have proven that over and over. This guy and his team are bad ass in my mind. I also can tell you that they will free our remaining hostage and we will teach those camel jockeys a real lesson. (We are the best in the world). Revenge is best served cold!

Supposedly, there is a live feed to the White House Situation room while this operation was going on, at least that is what we were told by the Obama administration. So a simple way of proving if Obama administration lied or the author lied is just make that portion where Osama was killed public; not asking them to show the entire operation.

Don't know why some here are debating the merits of profiting from personal and professional experience. This is the way of capitalism and what your country has devolved to. Profit, above all else, at any cost. It may not be the exact motivation behind the book but it's certainly the madness behind US foreign policy and State Department activities in every global nook and cranny where power is to gained and a buck to be made. It's too late for a moral conscience now. If you don't like it, move to Venezeula or Cuba.

Again...he signed a non-disclosure statement pledging his legal obligation to not reveal classified information. He broke it knowingly and willingly. That is against the law and now he must pay. That is how a Republic works. If you do not like that, move to China or North Korea and live among more socialists.

the govt said he made the story up so he didnt reveal anything. is that to hard to understand?

the govt checked with other seals and the book is complete fiction according to the pentagon.

no laws were broke or oaths. he wrote a story is all, based on a true story

September 8, 2012 at 10:57 am |

Geoz

I am pretty sure that every country operates with a promise of secrecy. So moving probably won't help either.

September 8, 2012 at 11:40 am |

Mike

Right, because it would be no big deal for the majority of the country to simply move.

Many of us believe our government is bought and paid for by the plutocracy, that it really doesn't respond to citizens anymore. In other words, we have a democracy in name only. The rest of the country is aimed at the red herrings of gay marriage, and whether or not Obama is the worst thing since Hitler. Divide and conquer, and the plutocracy has divided.

Maybe, but it is our citizens who divide blindly along party lines and fail to hold their local politicians accountable. If we all did that, our voice would be heard. How many Christians are still supporting the Dems after that vote in Charlotte the other night? Why would they stay affiliated with a party where a majority denounces their god and/or savior? Blind allegiance that is why. If we voted on issues and morals and not strictly on party lines, our country would be much stronger.

I haven't read this boook but nobdoy could posssibly be more arrogant or self-agggrandizing then Marcinko. I brought his boook with me on vacation and was embarassed to leave it on the shelf (so it found a garbage can.)

I second this motion. Do we have a 2/3rds majority? All in favor say "I'. All opposed say "nay". Uhhhhh, what do we do now? Let's pretend we did not here the nays and pass the motion. Ha ha...sorry...I got sidetracked. I agree with you in full.

So how do you confirm what this guy says is accurate? What is the difference between what he says or what the DoD says? You do not know and that is the point. So why would this guy put others at risk? Why don't you sack up and go join the Armed Forces and see what it is like. Maybe go to BUDs and give the SEALs a shot. I bet you quit in boot camp.

September 8, 2012 at 10:40 am |

Dward Farquard

Many of you are accusing the author of writing this version of the story for his personal gain.

Isn't that what many are saying Obama's administration was doing.

So, the question is which one of these two sides (Obama's version vs the SEAL's version) are telling the truth?

Face it, you don't know! If you are an Obama supporter you are likely to believe their version; if you are not an Obama supporter you'll likely go along with the other version.

Likely there is more for Obama and his gang to gain from promoting (and, if needed, covering up) their version...on that alone I'll try to stay neutral but am leaning toward believing the SEAL.

I never thought I would say this, especially coming from a proud multi-generation military family, "But the SEAL that wrote this book is a COWARD and has absolutely no HONOR." His OATH meant nothing to him and the safety of special forces around the world fighting for our Country was held in disregard. Even worse revealing that there have been special forces involved in searching for a POW. I wish the would take the SEAL insignia right off his chest in public as it seems that "Being in the public," was more important to him than the honor and privilege of just wearing the SEAL TriDent.

h e is not a coward , he is real brave..if reports are true he along with others in his team went into a hostile nation to do a job. He did it and came back... Now he came back to stab his brothers in the back even those who have not yet signed on to be a Seal.. and that take a lot of guts believe me.... 🙂 🙂

How many people would have liked to see the President land a hang glider on the back of an LST, wearing a leather jacket like a fighter pilot, and the swabbies organized so as to spell out MSN ACOMPLSHD ? Come on, raise your hands no matter where you are at. (Note 1: abbreviated because of smaller deck) (Note 2: LST borrowed back from Spain). I am kidding of course. No acting President would act like he was some kind of fighter pilot in war if he had not been.

Sonny "The Bull", notorious Mafia hitman who murdered dozens of people is walking around free, and wrote a book on his doings in the Mob, and the government has no issue with him turning a profit off of it. This guys serves his country for a decade, writes a book about an event that the whole world knows took place and they want to crucify him. The pentagons upset be cause his story conflicts with how they told us it went down. Well if you wouldnt lie in the first place it wouldnt be a big deal, stop lying!!! And for the record it isnt a big deal if he was armed or not. This guy had a bounty on his head for dead or alive. Weve killed dozens of Taliban and Al-Qaida leaders with predator drones and im sure they werent armed at the moment of their deaths, so who cares if these guys popped him while he was unarmed. And there is nothing in this book that is some big revealing secret about our military that hasnt been written about already as far as tactics go. this is all getting blown way out of proportion.

Debbie- You should read and comprehend before you post. Son of Liberty was supportingthe seal, not comparing the Seals to the mafia

September 8, 2012 at 11:17 am |

America1st

Actually they do. A law was later passed barring anyone from profiting from their crimes by writing a book. Unfortunately, the law was passed after this disgusting human being wrote his infamous mafia book. He should burn in hell for eternity is my personal hope.

As far as i am concerned he "bin laden" could have been stepping out of the shower and i would have shot him in his ugly a$$ face! He is dead and thats all that matters..the how and when isnt important.

If given the chance, you indicated you would murder Bin Laden, then you are no better than him and derserve his fate. Any person, organization, or government acts outside of the due process of law, then the law becomes meaningless as chaos ensues. So if a swift bullet applies to Bin Laden, so should it apply to you. I do not say this to condon the action of Bin Laden, but to show your thinking is similar to all zeolots.

By your inferred approach, lets say we accepts this form of lawlessness, Bin Laden's planning of attack on the US resulting in thousands of civilian deaths, and affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands, is a matter of timing given the US attack on Iraq and Afghanistan resulting in the ten of thousands of civilian deaths and millions of lives affected. the actions of both have resulted in uncountable human suffering.

Here is the important part! prior to Sept 11, the US Clinton regeme was activly pursing options to terminate Bin Laden. Bin Laden knew this, therefore by american policy of attack as a valid form of defence (as was justified for iraq), was not Mr Bin Laden justified in his responsive attack on american soild. By your logic answer is yes.

Do not get sidetracked on if UBL was armed or not. When these radicals started wearing body bombs and suicide vests we have to assume they are ALL armed. Even the "twitching" of an injured radical could set off a body bomb trigger so you shoot till they are no longer a threat. They changed the rules, these guys are simply adjusting to them. This guy should still be ashamed for telling this story and he deserves to be stripped of all royalties coming from it.

they did him a favor and put him out of his misery. they could of let him bleed out and think on what was happening to himself just a little longer. They did him a favor. And at least he had the honor of being killed by Navy Seals and not some punk 20 year old Airman operating a predator drone thousands of miles away, like it was a video game.

Agreed. He willingly sign a non-disclosure statement and knew the repercussions. I hope the DoD maintains some credibility here and takes this guys royalties at a min and puts him in jail as a max. He was a hero in the shadows but now is an embarrassment to his teammates and his command in the limelight.

September 8, 2012 at 10:13 am |

CanadaGuy

Yes,

thank you for proving my point earlier.

You indicate the UBL changed the rules, and thus seal team 6 was justified for the murder of UBL. Let say I agree to some extent. However, what about the fellow who they shot in the hallway? Maybe his familty was an indentured servant. (not a fact, just a illustrative point), seal team 6 murdered him, without due process in a effort to kill UBL. Now the family has reason to hate americans, will they form an army and attack, no idiot, they will "change the rules of engagement" and engage american which results in more senseless violence. The result is that each side claiming the other is evil. Unless the rule of law is respected, morons in power, like you, propagate the hatred.

I find it interesting the the US, with the largest army, by size and GDP and technical resources, claims anyone who does not fight conventional warefare is a NON-combatant or a terrorist. Now when it suited america to send green berets into vietnam to train and arm local civilians to form a resistance against the democratically elected communist government of the north,,, that was a moral imperitive.

why is it most cnn posters are american nutjobs, i bet u double post on fox.

Bissonnette is FUBAR.Along with the keyboard heros backing his sedition.He cowered behind a fake name while he shopped his book.Who cares about his dried ink.Then his gutless run to Wounded Warriors,they sent him packing.They don't want his stink on them.

You might be right, but the first thing that popped into my mind was the DNC vote on the amending their platform (the God and Jerusalem changes)....

"The Ayes have it"...in spite of any reality.

Well in this case the higher ups in the Pentagon have decided what the answer is without any regard for the truth. The only real question is did the military decide that was the "truth" or did the Obama administration or campaign tell the Pentagon what the answer was to be.

I think that taking his pension away requires a prosecution anyway. I would simply stop selling the book, this would really bother him. His pension should be not such a big amount of money because he is still young.
I do not understand why there is no military law that protects the secrets files, or whatever they can be defined, beyond the retirement. I mean: why a guy, although retired from the army, cannot be prosecuted in any moment he releases secret information that can be harmful either for civilians or military, or for both?

Oh, you mean just like the B H O administration that has leaked critical intelligence details about our military operations to support his campaign? What is good for the author is certainly good for B H O.

Quit posting lies. There has been no major leak by the obama campaign. Besides, your point isn't relevant to the fact that this seal has leaked important information. He's wrong no matter what anyone else has done.

September 8, 2012 at 8:35 am |

Nobody N. Particular

Ben, by definition, the President cannot leak classified information (since he has singular authority to release such information). Nice try to pain Obama as a traitor, but that argument doesn't hold water. Also, I noticed you didn't point to your boy GWB and the information he allowed to be release by others, which is illegal. I'm not a supporter of Obama, but this over the top accusation of him being a traitor for release information about the raid is total bunk; I remember how Carter was castigated by the right for the failed Delta Force rescue of the hostages in Iran 1979, so if the SEAL mission had failed, you could be darn sure the right would have castigated Obama as well. So if the President has to accept accountability for a team's failure, shouldn't he also enjoy the glory of their success as well?

September 8, 2012 at 8:37 am |

Dward Farquard

You were asked what "critical" information was leaked....well, look at it this way, the ignorance of the current administration and their overwhelming "political orientation" (i.e., nothing seems to be done unless Valery Jarrett, the White House "Political Commissar", agrees or maybe even dictates).

Fact is that the Obama administration doesn't care what might be critical information if it helps them politically.

September 8, 2012 at 9:10 am |

Rick Derris

First, your comment is a lie...much like the rest of the Republican party's statements on anything. The Obama administration has never leaked confidential information. HOWEVER, the Bush administration used to think that it was a good idea to release such information for retribution purposes, such as in the case of Dick Cheney outing an active CIA operative and putting her in danger (Valarie Plame) just because her husband said he didn't like Republican policies.

Just another example of Republicans being out of touch with reality...

September 8, 2012 at 9:30 am |

lbpaulina

Are you the Canadian runner who was disqualified for doping and lost the 100m gold medal in Seoul in 1988?

September 8, 2012 at 9:38 am |

jk

The enemy was funded, supported, and trained by the U.S. government, including the U.S. military, for years. So actually, former President George H.W. Bush would be at the top of the list of people to try for treason.

Bin Laden would have lingered for a couple of years in Gitmo before being tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Subsequently he probably would have been executed anyway. Armed or not he deserved to die.

Also, Al Qaeda would have kidnapped either some Americans or international civilians, kids, whoever, we do not know, and would have bargained them for the release of their leader, one of the wealthiest men of Saudi Arabia: Osama Bin Laden. For those who do not know: Osama Bin Laden was a very wealthy man who did not decide to use his money for peaceful charity. His family made $5 billion in the construction industry, of which Osama later inherited around $25–30 million (exactly at the end of the 60's.) Do you know how much is $25-30 million of the 60's?
Do the exercise and do not faint. I have no pain for this man that decided to not use his money to help the poor of his
country. He was absolutely at the service of evil and, over the history, he will be remembered with 4 words: he was a terrorist.

Why are we fighting amongst ourselves on how bin laden was killed? He was killed, matter closed. Who cares about what happened? We got rid of a terrorist. Why are we spending time and energy on this crap?

Well, if you're going to use that a criteria, then very few of them on the Hill are worth a damn. And, getting us to think that is right up the Republicans' ally. They gridlock government to make it useless, and then campaign on government being useless. Smaht. But, it's working.

The "big deal" is that this author is a traitor to his country, team, the Navy, and to the Commander-in-Chief. In addition, he is making stuff up. No veteran (of which I am one) should purchase this book, and every one of us should be telling our friends and acquaintances how shameful this behavior is.

...I am a veteran also, and I applaud this guy. War books are published all the time. Obama leaks classified info to the press daily, putting ALL of our troops in danger. This book does not endanger anyone. It is a retelling of history. Oh BTW another name for independent is liberal.....just another wishy washy who cant make their mind up.

September 8, 2012 at 8:31 am |

Scott

John, quit posting lies. Obama is not leaking classified information that harms the troops. If you want to hate obama, at least do it for a real reason.

September 8, 2012 at 8:38 am |

lbpaulina

Agree 100%.
I think that releasing information of any action, if not some decades later, is dangerous, exactly like in this case: for retaliation Al-Qaeda can do (and I think they already did) any imaginable thing against Bowe Bergdahl.
Bissonnette is essentially looking for money; his patriotism stops in front of a bunch of dollars. He is far different from being a hero.
Well, everybody chooses what to be remembered for and not everybody wants to be a hero, but I was dreaming that "we the people" had more pride, instead, we're buying the book showing that no ethics of behavior exists.

To those who want to paint Obama as a traitor for "leaking classified information", NEWSFLASH: The President CANNOT "leak" classified information, since he has singular authority to release this information. You may not agree with him releasing this information, but the fact that Obama released this information doesn't mean he is a traitor (maybe just an idiot with regards to military operational methods). PLEASE STOP THROWING AROUND THE TRAITOR OR TREASON CLAIMS WITHOUT ACTUAL EVIDENCE OF SUCH (and even then wait for a court to decide).

Military disputes seal account. seal disputes military account. seal brought up on charges for violating military code. seal looses dispute...... and he should for being a subpar soldier. In case anybody is wondering why I used lower case lettering when describing this navy seal, it is because I have no respect for him. He has tarnished the Navy Seal brand with his selfish and self serving ambitions and he should be court martialed for violating his oath!

The military has read the book and concluded that Owen revealed classified data which puts him in violation of several agreements he had signed previously. Plus, certain details in the book endanger the Seals by revealing this classified information. If we can read them then so can the bad guys. So publication is definitely not the end of the story.

So Dan, what you are saying is that all the SEALS and the chain of command are a bunch of liars.

If I have to choose between them being unpatriotic fool liars, or you being unpatriotic fool liar,
I vote for you as un American fool liar, and throw in the wingnut bonus star you deserve regardless of what country you are a citizen of.

Yes, and when the U.S. Government tells you that in a nuclear attack, you can hide under your wooden school desk and be protected, while your schoolteacher is blown against the blackboard and then turned into a pile of burnt ash, believe it... our government said so...

September 8, 2012 at 7:36 am |

IfonlyIthot

large groups of humans are incapable of keeping secrets for long. the fact that no seals or other officials have leaked that it was faked actually confirms that it did happen. Let go of the conspiracy freak show; it is SELF deception, not deception by flawed humans who comprise the 'government.'.

The difference being an ex SEAL who should know better and should get his stuff approved by DOD before publishing, as he knows all people with DOD security clearances must. (Loves or hates Obama, who cares) He knows he disobeyed an order and exit contract not to divulge his unique life experiences bayed by tax dollars, unless reviewed and cleared by DOD. I do not like what this guy did and how he did it, but is small back page news. The SEALs like many other special ops teams are recruited and trusted to be the best. Screwing his ex chain of command, shows basic disrespect to those made him who he is, at taxpayer expense. Unfortunately this shows that the military command can be played with by ex officers and get away with it because the US military is impotent, they fully trusted this guy to do the correct thing, like all the other officers before him. Is it as simple as crossing a white line in the highway playing chicken, maybe. Can it adversely effect discipline within the ranks, quite possibly. After all what are the odds DOD will push this through a military tribunal or US criminal court, considering what might come out of court?

As for wiki leaks, this is a far far greater disaster, done by another military employee entrusted with knowledge that they had no need to have access to, unfettered. You can thank the the Bush administration reorganization of intelligence data after 9/11 allowing anyone with a bare minimum secret clearance to have access to essentially all secret level correspondence within the US government, including STATE and DOD, excluding CIA and NSA. And of course the republican fiscal way, no audit control. Instead of wikileaks it could have been sent to the Iranians or Israelis, and the US military would not have known there was a breach. Great planning!
So this fool, unlike Ellsberg who released the pentagon's secret assessment that Vietnam war was un-winnable and subsequently all future deaths of US and Vietnamese military and civilians was pointless machination. This fool just released everything about anything, not that there was something in particular he saw as a crime. Unlike Ellsberg, who first took it to US congressman who ignored it and tried to avoid it, Ellsberg later went to respected US news outlets who basically believe in the traditions of the country. This wikileak release gave millions of secret emails to somebody with a 5 year track record, who had limited credibility, taking on the biggest leak in the world's governmental history To somebody who is not an American citizen, who is probably happy to screw the country and probably is legally to get away with it.

SUM, we got a nobody who has done far far more damage to the country that the ex-SEAL could have done, or would have done. One will probably keep his full big retirement, the other might get executed for treason. One may get lenience and a lot of money and become famous on FOX.

The other a short life, a bad footnote in history, and not many friends in high places.

I don't believe WikiLeaks is a member of the SEALs and I really don't think they were trained to keep their mouths shut, more importantly, they never took an oath as a soldier or an extra oath [NDA] Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding NOT to reveal ANYTHING about missions...

-None of you were there
-None of you really know what happened
-None of you know the author's true intentions and motivations
-Most of you are being offensive, rude, and generally sound embarrassingly ignorant

I have my own opinions and beliefs and I can hold them without launching a verbal assault on yours. I hope the posts that follow this can do the same.

Why don't you tell us what his motivations were? Take a moment to think about that and let me perhaps help along the way.
1.If he just wanted to uncover the truth : He could have just gone to Fox new and other media outlets for some juicy front pagers.
2.If any of what he said was true, the rest of the group would confirm it, they made an oath but if there were some shady stuff they would have had his back.
3.A book makes you millions of dollars
4.How can we dig in a little deeper and see : Which party he is affiliated with, if John Mccain ever contacted him, who helped him write this book.
5.There is all kinds of crap that goes on in war zones, plenty of others could write crap that would blow your mind but they don't, because that's not what they signed up for. Freedom is pricey my friends.

SEAL speil. 2nd rate 'heros.' The 3-4 of them that have spoken out lately have sullied the name of S.E.A.L. big time. And the ironice thing about it is these chaps aren't nearly as cool as the Night Stalkers who worked TWICE as hard the day Bin Laden was killed! The Night Stalkers helicopter crews are the REAL HEROs!

What you say is not only true, but has been true through nearly every covert op since the Air Force/Navy managed to dick up the first attempt to extract from Iran. The NightStalkers are the heros of our military and get damn little credit for it...too many of us (all service) have been bailed out by the 160th, and if you didn'y happen to be one of the bail'ees, you probably never heard about it.

There's no controversy here, only trumped up charges and posters trying to start an argument over side issues. The facts are:

The author had a job with the military which he quit. He wrote a memoir about his job. Lot's of people do that. If you don't like the idea, don't buy the book.

The question is, did he violate any laws or agreements he signed. I don't think anyone commenting here really knows that. And even if some do, it won't change a damned thing by writing some controversial comment here.

As far as accuracy goes, these are his memoirs, not the military's he served. If he remembers things wrong, someone else should write a book providing another view point.

That's what freedom means. We can do as we please. Our armed forces are in part hired to defend this freedom we enjoy here. So you can publish any nonsense without fear of proscecution.

False. Clearly you've never served any time in the service. Contracts are signed, SEAL's live under TOP SECRET contracts meaning, regardless of whether they get out of the military or not, they can not speak of what actions they have performed or what they have seen. The same freedoms a civilian lives under do not exist for a member of the armed forces, once they join. I know, because I am a service member.

You missed the point. In this country you have to break the law before you can be proscecuted. If he chose to break the law in order to publish his memoir, he has that right. If he goes to jail for it, others will think twice before doing the same. If he broke some code of honor, well that's too bad but he won't go to jail for that.

September 8, 2012 at 4:30 am |

myway right

He does not have a "right to break the law", just the opportunity to break the law. What country did you come from? They taught that to you in school? Where did you learn that nonsense?

If he is bound by military law, and can be reeled in by DOD, they may do that to make an example.

Leaks by anonymous sources sometimes are authorized. The ones not authorized, are hard to attribute and prosecute.

Here you have someone putting out a best selling book, not following policy that has been around for decades, violating orders designed to protect the national interest of the country. This is not someone who cleans toilets on an coast guard boat finding a bale of coke, telling his story. He had a top secret clearance. My dad had a crypto compartmentalized, I had a secret clearance; I take it seriously, so did he.

This will be a hard decision for DOD. Go the distance and risk other top secret information coming out in trial. Or let it go and risk problems with discipline and leadership down the line. Putting it before a military court could solve that problem.

The only thing that can save this guy's credibility would be for the whole/most/any SEAL team members resign to back this guy, standing up saying that there is something crooked going on. Otherwise he is rogue, and might fit in at FOX if rails against Obama like those SecOPS swift boat II guys a few weeks ago.

September 8, 2012 at 6:51 am |

petkov00

Freedom this , freedom that, thats all you Americans know. can you yell "fire" in a movie theater? . Freedom has its limitations. hate speech for one thing, child porn, etc. stop it with this "freedom" thing, its hallow.

Hollow, not hallow is probably what you meant to write in english.
hallow is "to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate".
Hollow is to be empty.

Regardless, I consider freedom to be both. Yelling "fire" when it is not appropriate is not protected speech, same for child porn, hate crimes, and a list of others.

Do you think freedom comes fully formed, perfect, no more discussion? It has taken a lot of effort and time to argue these issues over decades, fighting it in the courts and legislatures. Repeal slavery, women able to vote, Geneva conventions, and a thousand other obvious freedoms, and a thousand other bad ideas that used to be freedoms. If you can't handle developing freedom, get out of the kitchen. Try another country or planet. Regress and be a child, someone might take care of you.

September 8, 2012 at 7:08 am |

John Wilson

The flip side of that FREEDOM coin is RESPONSIBILITY!

NO, you cannot do anything you want... that peculiar kind of American rationalization got us into Iraq and countless other wars...

Too bad we need to talk about whether this ex-seal broke laws. There are so many laws on the books today that had never been required in the past because common sense and common decency, implicit understanding, acceptance of an oath, and just basic good moral character is lacking and no longer part of the American "culture". The culture today is simple, "can I get away with it." and "I can do anything I want as long as it's not against the law" and "freedom means nobody can tell me what to do". Honor, oath, decency, responsibility? Don't be an old fuddy-duddy!

WMD in Iraq was an invention of Dick Cheney and neoCons, who played Bush43 and Powell like a party horn.

OBL being dead over a decade, OBL being a CIA employee currently alive, OBL being Barrack Obama, shows how starved wingnuts are for facts and must fabricate their own WMD in their heads. Stick with Barrack Obama being an illegal Muslim alien brought here by time travelling space aliens, I think is your safest conspiracy argument. Best served crazy, unprovable, distinctive, and disconnected from facts and reality. You can also build a new religion out of it when the invasion begins.

I'm glad he wrote the book when the white house decided to use this as a reelection gambit to elevate Obama's role above the troops that carried out the mission. The book puts the troops back in front where they belong.. I was in the Army SF so I understand the members who carried out the mission may be angry about the book, but ya know, sometimes life is just tough sh-t. Anyway i've got Bissonnette's back. I couldn't care less what the Navy politicians think, West Pointers are equally full of sh-t!

President Obama authorized the mission parameters. He overrode the counsel of his Secretary of Defense, and went with the Seal Team leader's assertion that they could get it done. Bottom line is, making the executive order was a risky, ballsy call. A similar order to attempt the rescue of the Iranian hostages, with ensuing failure, helped Ronald Reagan defeat Jimmy Carter.

I would like to see the seals go back to a place where they aren't in the limelight. No book deals, no movie deals. Just quiet, humble, life-risking work that is critical to our national security.

As a vietnam vet and 20 year SSG..The army was all ways saying watch what you say you never know who is listingThis seal was blasting Obama saying he was rtaking too much credit for the killing of bin laden.Now we see his truecolor Green as in money.How did this guy ever get thru seal training?I would buy his book just to see what other stuff he put in there that could do harm to our military still there i wonder if he was a POW just how much of his guts would he spill to save his life?But cant see myself spending almost $20.00 that BS.It makes me sick to know that the military has guys that in the navy.Dont know how true but i heard that some of the other seals are not happy about his book.

September 8, 2012 at 4:28 am |

The_Mick

You've got Bissonette's back. Good. Then please explain why he would mention Seal organized rescue attempts for Bergdahl? The likely outcome is that his keepers will get nervous, kill him, and then blend into the surroundings. And I don't see that the book did anything to lower or raise the fact the Obama ordered the raid despite some recommendations against it.

NO! Your being told that others on the mission are disputing the facts. The white house wants this trashed and they know that undermining Bissonette is the way to do it. Trust me, there is nothing worse in the military as officers doing political work for politicians.

September 8, 2012 at 3:29 am |

Jim

trust you?

September 8, 2012 at 4:56 am |

john's inner voices

Don't forget John, the voices in your head were there with the SEALS. when OBL was bagged and tagged.
You can believe these voices, they be true and give you what you need to think. Pay attention to the voices.
A new conspiracy is coming your way, that you can tell the world about.

That's one approach..... dispute the facts..... not an issue, but they are making it an issue.... "head of U.S. special operations".... Man in a leadership position like that should be above that kind of pi_ss_ing contest.... Really too bad, the leadership these days such low standards....

I'm sure he was "persuaded" to dispute the facts. As the Admiral gets his marching orders from the CINC, who do you trust? The guy with something to lose or the guy with nothing to lose and had donated all proceeds to charity?

Both versions of the story portray a targeted assassination–illegal, unethical, and a further tarnish to America's bad reputation around the world. We are a rogue nation, out of control and above the rule of law.

The problem with this story is the blatant disregard for a human life. They didn't know it was OBL but felt no remorse in shooting an unarmed, unidentified person, then 'putting him out of his misery,' then identifying him. Killing a person in front of their family is just wrong. I don't care what crime he committed, this was a no-win for America. Period. Other nations disrespect USA for our disrespect for human lives. The situation could have been handled differently. We should never brag or benefit from the taking of a life.

September 8, 2012 at 1:42 am |

Francisco d'Anconia

Peace, you disgust me. This man attacked the United States of America. He is directly responsible for the murders of 3000 innocent Americans. He was a military combatant, an enemy of the state and a legal target in accordance with ANY law of warfare you care to cite, as were ANY other people in that building who were harboring him. There haven't been 4 men in this century more deserving of his fate. If your delicate sensibilities were offended, too bad! Just be thankful there are men like those of ST6 defending this nation instead of people like you.

September 8, 2012 at 2:00 am |

ADAF

Actually, he was an "unlawful combatant", clearly you don't know the LOAC either.

The following are excerpts from the Geneva Conventions of 1949-

"Lawful Combatants. A lawful combatant is an individual authorized by governmental authority or the LOAC to engage in hostilities. A lawful combatant may be a member of a regular armed force or an irregular force. In either case, the lawful combatant must be commanded by a person responsible for subordinates; have fixed distinctive emblems recognizable at a distance, such as uniforms; carry arms openly; and conduct his or her combat operations according to the LOAC. The LOAC applies to lawful combatants who engage in the hostilities of armed conflict and provides combatant immunity for their lawful warlike acts during conflict, except for LOAC violations."

"Unlawful Combatants. Unlawful combatants are individuals who directly participate in hostilities without being authorized by governmental authority or under international law to do so. For example, bandits who rob and plunder and civilians who attack a downed airman are unlawful combatants. Unlawful combatants who engage in hostilities violate LOAC and become lawful targets. They may be killed or wounded and, if captured, may be tried as war criminals for their LOAC violations."

" Francisco d'Anconia

Peace, you disgust me. This man attacked the United States of America. He is directly responsible for the murders of 3000 innocent Americans. He was a military combatant, an enemy of the state and a legal target in accordance with ANY law of warfare you care to cite, as were ANY other people in that building who were harboring him. There haven't been 4 men in this century more deserving of his fate. If your delicate sensibilities were offended, too bad! Just be thankful there are men like those of ST6 defending this nation instead of people like you.
September 8, 2012 at 2:00 am |

September 8, 2012 at 3:51 am |

Kenny

Francisco d'Anconia,
Our Government, especially with the Bushes were no different than any terrorists (home-grown or offshore). One day the truth about 9/11 shall be leaked out and I hope and pray to God that it wasn't done by our own, and to pinned on someone that was fighting to protect his faith and land.

September 8, 2012 at 4:02 am |

John Wilson

OBL was NOT ARMED... he was either shot while twitching on the floor – just for grins – or he was shot in the chest and eye while walking across an open room... I know, he forgot to quickly throw up his arms, assume the position and scream in his perfect ENGLISH, "I surrender.'

"Laws of War" do NOT sanction either situation... further, Obama issued an ILLEGAL KILL ORDER and no member of the SEAL Team ever had any thought about bringing this guy back breathing.

You know very little about "Sanctioned" U.S. Kill Squads...

September 8, 2012 at 8:15 am |

George

It wasn't illegal (unethical is debatable). The laws against assassination of enemy threats, even outside of direct military conflict, were suspended under Bush II and have not been reinstated.

it's much worse than tat. the whole story is a fantasy. bin alladin is the alleged mastermind and leader of ali quead. why kill him? he would be infinitely more valuable alive. why no photos? why the quick burial at sea? the whole thin is a fable.

If the mission had failed and American were killed in action, FOX News and their followers would have blamed Obama for bad planning, not having courage, or worse. Now that the mission was successful, they won't give him the credit.

Anybody remembers how the conservative media blamed Carter for the failure of the mission to release hostages in Iran?

Not according to Richard Marcinko (founder of SEAL Team Six) who wrote at some length about this in his auto-biography 'Rogue Warrior'. If anything, R Marcinko stated that President Carter was at the mercy of the Pentagon staff that did the planning and execution of the mission (which Marcinko witnessed first hand). Do some research before posting your personal bias and embarrassing yourself. – PM

September 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm |

RillyKewl

This guy can leak all he wants. Yet Julian Assange is wanted like a murderer.
Bradley Manning is being tortured by the USA, but this author is free to leak + make a fortune.
Ironic.

How much of this book was blacked out by military censorship? If admiral McRaven had time to check the facts with other hit team members, then he had time to order portions blacked out for secrecy reasons. 10% of Valerie Plame's book on the CIA were blacked out for secrecy.

This guy thinks that because he is a conservative and against Obama, the laws don't apply to him. Let some liberal former SEAL write a book like this, and Bissonette would be saying that the guy was a traitor to his country.

I agree! Democrats don't have GUTS! Republicans can leak sensitive military information and push the country to economic dissenter so that President fails. Still they have GUTS to show their fingers to American public! They are Patriotic as well as gutsy!

September 8, 2012 at 1:15 am |

fekt

ran to france after showing his face on the news saying shut up and serve your country and go to nam. who was that?

September 8, 2012 at 1:17 am |

John Wilson

Wrong, Bissonnette is living proof that they do... Takes years of training and a SEAL6 badge to shoot a guy twitching in death throws on the floor... what a MAN!

September 8, 2012 at 8:30 am |

Dixon

I don't believe that for a minute Sue. Seals are the best and I don't believe they would put politics ahead of their work.

by the way, I am a Democrat who is sick of the non-sense from both sides. I get angry with the trolls on both sides on the blogs and let myself get dragged in to the non-sense. These seals do the work of keeping us safe daily. We need to give them the benifit of the doubt.

We already knew that Bissonnette is a coward and a traitor. Now, we know he is also a liar. Considering that he is a conservative, it all makes sense. Most conservatives are cowards, traitors and liars. But, they "love America" and believe in Jesus!

What exactly did Bissonette do that makes him a coward? What did he do that makes him a traitor? If he volated a non-disclosure agreement, that ia a civil matter for which he can lose any gains that follow from the disclosure. If he revealed classified information, that is a criminal violation. We we will see if any truly classified material was released if and when the gov't indicts him and he is convicted. Until you go on a raid like he was on, everyone knows who has the b__ls and who has the mouth.

September 8, 2012 at 3:27 am |

Paul B. Huntington III

since according to the pentagon none of what he says in the book is true then its just a book of fiction.

if its all made up who cares what he writes. maybe he will write a series called the navy seals.

nothing wrong with that.

what i wonder about is why the pentagon had to go ask other navy seals to see if it was true when OBAMA saw it live and gave a blow by blow account. ??????

I am hoping some of you read this and take it to heart. A man in the special ops community, and in this instance a senior member in the elite Seal Team 6, does not – I repeat DOES NOT – put his life on the line for thirteen tours of duty protecting your sorry hides to turn around and write a stupid book for the money. That is not the cloth these men are made out of. They do what they do out of a sense of duty and a calling that you selfish people will NEVER understand, and has nothing to do with monetary reward. They give up family, friends, personal safety, normalcy for their country. That is why this man wrote a book about his time in DEVGRU...to set the record straight. With no profits to himself. The money goes to the Fallen Seals Fund. You all may be on a Protect Saint Obama high but this is not a political book, it is a memoir. There is nothing in the book that can be used by our enemies against national security. There is nothing to threaten the safety (if there is any such thing) for Sgt. Bergdahl, who btw, my youngest child recognizes that our military is actively searching for so I'm pretty sure the bad guys know that as well. If you get off the kool-aid bandwagon and off of mainstream media, and instead judge the facts in whole as they stand (not random articles such as this one that you are responding too) you would understand that this man has done nothing wrong.

I was with you until you went to the wingnut side with the disrespect toward Obama. Until you get away from the FAUX hate campaign toward everything Obama you to will be just as wrong as those on here attcking this brave soldier.

I spoke on behalf of partisan politics because 99% of these posts are trying to make the book political. The point I was making was that it was not written to be political. It is a memoir plain and simple.

September 8, 2012 at 10:17 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

I could not give a rats ass about protecting Obama, or that Obama looks bad in the book. At he same time this guy could be some Perry swift boater, who has an ax to grind or wants to see Romney elected at all cost because he thinks he is saving America from a alien Muslim socialist. That could be a motivation. Regardless, time will tell que sera.

He did not have his booked reviewed and approved as per military law. He knew the rule, he broke it. His actions are not becoming an officer. It is the military, you make it a career to obey orders, to be fit to give orders. Shirking orders is not a role model, unless he is disobeying an order to break the laws of the US, INCLUDING ITS TREATY OBLIGATIONS like the Geneva conventions. He is a rogue cowboy, his interview with Palin will be fitting.

He can give money to whoever as his fig leaf, widows, orphans, Romney, his church. Whatever, does not fix the damage to discipline within the ranks.

He is no longer in the military. Provided he doesn't discuss classified information, the First Amendment applies to him as much as it does to you.

September 8, 2012 at 1:29 am |

Fransico's answer

Can DOD reel him back in, and judge him under a military court? Maybe. Depends what is in his exit contract.

The Bush lawyers tried to make the Geneva conventions go poof, when POTUS says so.

So having an ex military officer submit to military tribunal after being accused of breaking national security confidences relating to the ex-officer being in military: likely and very enforceable, you know if signed on the dotted line.

Now compare this to voiding a TREATY by hack lawyers who have been working in Republican administrations since NIXON. You may have first amendment rights, but you can sign them away opting for other courts of justice within the US government.

September 8, 2012 at 6:11 am |

Wes Scott

Yada, yaga, yada! Bissonnette is a coward, traitor and liar. I just hope that he is the exception rather than the rule. The very fact that he would publicly state a political opinion negative of his Commander-in-Chief proves that he is none of the grand things you said about him. Oh, I know ... he "did it for the children!"

I have no problem with writing the book but believe it should not have been published until after November 8,2012 so as to not effect the presidential election. Publishing it at this time just establishes political motives. Shame on thid character for selling out to the right win g wackos.

Personally i could care less how he died but it has been widely reported that all 25 Seals wore helmet cameras during the raid. Why didn't the Adm just go watch for himself and report what he saw. Sound simple enough? Not suggesting a conspiracy but if you think the military won't spin the truth.... ask Pat Tillmans family.

Helmet video, I am sure that was done a long time ago and recently reviewed. The field of view is not 360×360, maybe some had it, some not. It is not Hollywood Olympics perfect multi feed announcer video. Raw jerky. Bad lighting, fast and over no second take.

If the admiral did not ask direct questions regarding the facts in dispute by everyone of those boots on the ground, that would be shocking. For wingnuts to say OBL has been dead for 10 years is to say these SEALS, inluding the author, are a bunch of lying cowards doing a criminal conspiracy with Obama. Same true for the rest of the nut cases, screw them.

What's all this controversy about? Unless the author of this book does not want to credit the COC for decision making? Which I dont think is the case. The seals, however great fighters they may be, they are not the decision makers period. They get the credit for the action and the COC should get the credit for the decision.

Like someone pointed out below all servicemen are not saints by default. This guy is probably just after the money and what better time to release the book than around sep 11 and more so in the election heat?

All that discussion about how Osama is actually killed is a non-issue for many Americans except for this author and political opponents of the COC. The more sensation the better. If you could make it look like you are taking on the establishment and the COC even more better press for the book = MORE SALES.

1) The real issue is that they guy did not have it reviewed and approved by the pentagon, and all the problems that creates.

2) The wingnuts are looking for red meat to prove their conspiracy fantasies. You got several varieties out tonight, wingnuts with the threads completely gone no political party affiliation, some trollers from other countries stirring it up, and fresh off the boat FOX-landers Beck-Battalion who are freshly trained in Republistan.

Dude should have kept his mouth shut. While I believe the story more than I believe the Pentagon's version.....we don't need to know the intimate details of wartime field work. Money? Fame? Not sure of the motive here. Only thing I know for sure....the Pentagon will work hard to discredit this book and story.

Oh, he knows. Thanks to Fox News that outed not only his real name but his city and state. Believe me...he knows. He used a fake name for a reason. He also changed the names of his teammates in the book to protect them. But thanks to the media, the bullseye on his back is in neon print.

You cannot lay the blame on Fox News. They were just being 'fair and balanced" like they are on everything else!

Let's hear all the conservatives rave about their god, Fox News! They show the world how to be patriotic and supportive of our military personnel.

September 8, 2012 at 1:45 am |

Monica Bosse

Only those who do not know better live by ANY mainstream media, including fox. The rest of us know how to research our news.

September 8, 2012 at 10:22 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

The fact that he did not clear it with the Pentagon is what is going to screw him.
Part of that review process, besides redactions for reasons of national security and compromising methods used, would be to protect the privacy and security of the SEAL teams on duty. He, his lawyer, and book company are not smart enough to make those decisions.

His fait accompli method of release, undermines an established policy of decades. His only legal justification would be that he is revealing a vast pentagon coverup, like Ellsberg, which this book is NOT. HE BROKE a trust with his fellow team members and his chain of command. He pulled the trigger with one bullet in the chamber, to his head and his team.

He knew going in that he was going up against the pentagon. He chose to use a Special Ops lawyer to vet the work instead of the pentagon because his version differs from that of the Pentagon. And if you had actually READ the book, you would know that there is not a damn thing in there that affects national security. In fact, if there were, the book wouldn't be published and the Pentagon would not have backed off the national security breach theory and switched to outing Sgt. Bergdahl, which again is false. Maybe you should know something about the subjects you spew off about instead of just trying (badly) to make everything political.

September 8, 2012 at 12:24 am |

a slozomby

"His only legal justification would be that he is revealing a vast pentagon coverup," how's that working out for manning.

September 8, 2012 at 3:57 am |

RillyKewl

Bless our President + his extrordinary judgement for sending those SEALs in to destroy our most horrific enemy.
I am so grateful that this episode is over. Now let's get out of Afghanistan + end this decades-long nightmare for good.

Obama was lucky that the Seals took care of OBL. They did their jobs. Obama deserves no glory for this, it's the Navy seals that put their life on the line. Barry is a weak politician and the worst president America has ever known. Only an unlearned or brainwashed person would vote for him. Especially because he did such a poor job of running the country.

According to DELTA (in Kill Bin Laden by name de plume Dalton Fury).....W and his idiot VP and equally stupid SecDef had OBL in their sights in the Tora Bora range in October, 2001. Their tactical plans and kill shots were.....time after time....refused. DELTA tactical plans are not ignored often... At least Obama had the juevos to give the order

September 7, 2012 at 11:29 pm |

Ellis Island

Look in the mirror and see who the real idiot is. If you love the Taliban, you'll love the American Taliban,aka Romney-Ryan

September 8, 2012 at 12:40 am |

RillyKewl

The worst President got our #1 enemy? That's a bad thing? You make no sense. I suppose our best president decided not to pursue him, but to start another war in another country + simultaneously allow our #1 enemy to escape.
That's what makes sense to you? Gee, you're a real genius.

September 8, 2012 at 12:50 am |

Sue Pearlative

If a conservative had been president and given the order, you would be saying he was a great leader for having given the go-ahead. And if the mission had failed you would say he showed courage in approving the attempt anyway. Except if the president was a liberal – like Jimmy Carter when he approved the raid to free the hostages in Iran – then you would say that he failed.

September 8, 2012 at 12:59 am |

Orwell is not impressed

Which crazy conspiracy are you with?

1)OBL dead for ten years
2)OBL NOT DEAD, works for CIA-ZOG
3)OBL is Barrack Obama
4) TOO Secret, can't be mentioned
5) Obama is an illegal space alien time travelers

Adm. McRaven; Let it go and move on. The CIC and his staffs at WH leak much much higher sensitive information than this everyone know about this story. It shows you are a liar and not very smart when you dig into this death body. American do not care how this animal Bin Laden killed. All we can say job well done and with this death 3000 thousand families who died in 911 can rest in peace now.

We are out from under? Really? Thanks for telling me. I had no idea that the country had turned around. Whew! And here I was worrying about nothing.

September 7, 2012 at 11:24 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Monica, your a wingnut, you worry about all your favorite conspiracies.

As for me am I better now than four years ago? Yes, most definitely. Having Nixon-esque criminals destroying the USA worried me for eight years. I have problems with the Democrats, but the Republicans have gone crazy suicidal, you know the incompetent business guys with their crooked Spiro-Agnew-like friends to help them run the govt. doing a heck of a job Brownie types, who have no qualifications other than drive a hot dog truck. Or run a horse race track, or quit as a sitting governor because it is hard, but would be a damn good vice president in rogue.

Sorry to hear things are so bad in Republistan. They should outlaw cannibalism over here and repeal legitimate rape.

September 8, 2012 at 12:06 am |

Monica Bosse

Orwell, you are an idiot who can not even make your own case in a clear manner. Maybe a little less drinky drinky or smokey smokey.

September 8, 2012 at 10:27 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Fireking, my mother died years ago.

What you are hearing are those fantasy voices in you head.
I know science is prohibited in your home country, but while you are here try taking your meds.

I'm going to distance myself mentally from the whole controversy starting now. I'll leave the character judgment.
in- house for the SEALs to decide. I've decided to not vote one way or another affected by this controversy.
I'll always have respect for the SEALs. When any veteran meets me on the street, I'll always give them the benefit
of the doubt, but will not go overboard thinking they're automatically persons of good character. I won't buy the book
simply because I can't afford to. I'm deeply glad Bin Laden is dead; I'll never forget his open mocking of the
dead civilians of 9/11. How can people anywhere condone any leader like that?

He was shot....he was killed....the book seems pretty accurate on that matter. Besides, I would put more faith in fiction than in the word of the "top brass". They have a habit of.....well......spinning tales.

Let me guess, moon landing was fake. Armstrong took it to his grave. You been their, you know what is going on, on the moon and the business of the traitorous top brass, backed up by cowardly SEALs who are unable to tell the truth and back up your fantasy.

I hear the train a coming, so pack up your crazies and head back to Republistan. Where legitimate rape is not myth, it is the law. Take your swift boats, they are blocking intellectual discourse.

Cowardly Seals? Don't visit the coasts my friend. I would hate for you to run into a "cowardly" seal. You are way out of line when describing some of America's finest.

September 7, 2012 at 11:27 pm |

trooperchix

Monica, you missed the point, he was commenting on the cowardly fool who wrote the book.

September 8, 2012 at 12:07 am |

Sue Pearlative

Monica, you need to learn to recognize sarcasm.

September 8, 2012 at 1:02 am |

Monica Bosse

No, Monica totally got the sarcasm. And the "cowardly fool" who wrote the book IS a Seal. The post stands as offensive to any Seal out there and therefore my post stands, unedited.

September 8, 2012 at 10:32 pm |

joe800

..spinning tales, like WMD's?..Iraq's involvement is 9/11?..Yellow Cake uranium?..Mission Accomplished?..Valerie Plame?...The Iraq Working Group convening 2 years before the election?...hanging CHADS?...Halliburton and the fines for doing business with Iraq during Sanctions?.....please do tell us ALL about how bin Laden was killed under Obama's orders....

You are absolutely correct about the "Top Brass" spinning stories and not telling the truth. It is called "disinformation" and it is the appropriate way to handle these matters. It is none of your business what happened or how it happened. The only thing that is important is that Obama gave the order to go when Bush refused to do so, and the SEALS did their job and got OBL. Everything else is purely conjecture and not really important.

Inspite of having a cowardly traitor and liar like Bissonnette on their team the SEALS still did a magnificent job and are to be commended, though I am sure most of them would prefer anonymity over notariety.

With so many leaks coming out of the Whitehouse I can't wait till Obama's COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS are released by accident....you know he's the "MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE" NO PASS HISTORY OF HIS BEING RELEASED.....Where are his Classmates ???? do they support him ????? Where are his SMOKING CRACK BUDDIES ????? don't they have stories to tell ?????....THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW ....WE HIRED YOU Mr. President.

Obama got bin laden whale Bush sold us out to the Paks and Saudis, and bald faced lied to the public about WMD and Cheney claimed Iraqi involvement in 911. Bush created the biggest deficit to date and stained the US flag and honor killing some 245,000 innocent Iraqis, almost all of whom were non combatants.

OBAMA DID NOT GET OBL! Geez. The CIA found him and Seal Team 6 took him out. There is a huge difference. Never forget that. ANY President would have given the OK. Obama did nothing spectacular.

OBAMA DIDNT GET OBL! The CIA found him and Seal Team 6 took him out. Never forget that. It is a big difference.

September 7, 2012 at 10:50 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Monica Bosse, certified wingnut, second class.
Welcome, your travels from Republistan must have been difficult.

Don't forget, fake moon landing, Kennedy faked his own assassination(s) are your code words. True believers like you will come together to lead the world under bishop Robney, an experienced corporate repo man and liquidator.

September 7, 2012 at 11:04 pm |

Monica Bosse

Orwell, darlin'...read. You don't have to be a republican to understand the written word. Or to follow the chain of command on the assassination of OBL because it is already public knowledge, both in film and in writing. Skip the Kool-aid my friend and look past mainstream media for your real answers.

September 7, 2012 at 11:13 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Republican crazy or democrat crazy, take your pick as too what suits you looking in the mirror.

Keep talking to those voices in you head, get to the bottom of that conspiracy.
If they tell you to commit suicide, don't do it.
If you own gun, be careful baby.

September 7, 2012 at 11:23 pm |

Monica Bosse

No conspiracy except in your illiterate brain. Facts are all I subscribe too.

Actually, the truth here is quite simple and far less exciting: Monica Bosse – trained Bissonnette – personally gave him the order to shoot OBL while he was in his death throws on the floor and collaborated with him on the faux book.

Obama never gave the order for SEAL Team 6 to get OBL; Monica forged the order, because Gates, Biden and almost all of Obama's top circle advised Obama it was simply too risky and no other president would approve such a risky mission.

All hail the conservative, psychotic, radical wing nut Monica!

September 8, 2012 at 9:17 am |

Monica Bosse

Stupid people saying stupid things when facts prove them wrong and you have no real ANYTHING to speak on your behalf. Just resort to personal attacks. Thank you for proving me right.

September 8, 2012 at 10:36 pm |

waterman

if you think hes the MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, then you contradict yourself because you also say you voted for him , the MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is put in place by higher powers with results from any vote not even considered

If you will send me an e-mail address then I will send you blueprints for making a tinfoil hat to protect your brain from outside influences. I hear that if you put the shiny side both on the inside AND the outside that it keeps the government from being abale to read your mind and it also keeps them from being able to implant propaganda in your mind. You sound like somebody who definitely needs this high level of protection.

With so many leaks coming out of the Whitehouse I can't wait till Obama's COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS are released by accident....you know he's the "MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE" NO PASS HISTORY OF HIS BEING RELEASED.....Where are his Classmates ???? do they support him ????? Where are his SMOKING CRACK BUDDIES ????? don't they have stories to tell ?????

Orwell your name say it all "OWELLAN"...........just another Obamanite Slave being lead by a AMATURE President who speaks of illusions of grandeur

September 7, 2012 at 10:38 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Call me George. read my book, you probably will not understand any of it.

I also recommend Lord of the Flies, the movie remake is being shot in scenic Republistan using local stars and cast, non union of ourselves.

September 7, 2012 at 10:53 pm |

Orwell is not impressed

Fireking, let me make it into something you can believe in.

Obama is an alien plant, by time travelling Muslim space aliens. Bishop Robney, direct from the planet Kolob, has come to save the day from this medusa POTUS that has enslaved the rich white race turning them into feeble sociopaths in a communist satanic conspiracy called ZOG. Get with Rush and Beck for the details.

You have no reason to complain, when you have no grasp of the real issues, and what is really takes to do a fraction of what O has done. Your main reason for living is to cry about everything, without contributing nothing.

LOl, I pit you. The team that went in faced one guy with an AKs vs a dozen US troops with night vision. Any basically trained squad could have handled this
The real decision was political. Bush told Pakistan of five rads and each time Bin Laden was moved. Obama made the call not to tell them and that is the only thing that got bin laden. Bush let teh paks spit on the US a dozen times, Obama has ten times bigger ba11s and stood up the the Pak ISI/

You should be ashamed Old Vet. Do you really think any squad could take out old Bin? Why don't you throw your walker down and go on a few SEAL missions and see how well you do. Matter of fact, move to Canada.

September 7, 2012 at 10:48 pm |

Monica Bosse

You forget that the CIA knew where OBL was for nearly 6 months before any action was taken. They told your precious Obama and he couldn't make up his mind what to do about it. Not such a balsy man after all, is he?

September 7, 2012 at 10:58 pm |

no4O

Monica, he couldnt make his decision yet because he wasnt ready to make his bid for re-election...remember that came right after...perfect timing...

September 8, 2012 at 1:46 am |

Old Vet

I pity all those replying as they simply have no military experience

September 8, 2012 at 6:56 am |

Bill

Civilian control of the military underpins our republic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_control_of_the_military

Maybe he should say that the real reason his chain of command and old team mates hate him is because he's gay... That would change the story and send these POS haters scurrying to their roach and rat holes.

Regardless of this "he said, she said" situation, these guys (seals) are pretty amazing. In the last ten years, I have heard and read numerous reports and accounts of seals getting into firefights in extremely hostile situations, often in close quarters, and they usually come out of it in one piece. What's crazy to me is that this is just their regular day job.

It would seem based on these wingnuts' logic, that all the SEALS except the book writer are part of a vast Obama-military conspiracy, OR these same SEALS are traitorous cowards afraid they will loose their retirements, so they are unable to have the backbone to do the right thing.

LIke the Pentagon wouldn't lie! The Pentagon is simply trying to discourage people from buying the book. I wouldn't believe ANY government official regarding this topic if their tongue came notorized! And as for being so concerned for Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, they're full of crap. There was no reason to publically share that the Pentagon had briefed the Bergdahl family and that there was a plan to attempt to rescue him. The Pentagon can quit pointing fingers because they just put Sgt. Bergdahl at risk too! Idiots!!

The real problem here is that the Chain of Command should have come out immediately and Lectured Obama and his Gaggots on OPSEC.... But these same people sat there and Kissed his Azz... They were merely LAP DOGS giving BJs...

This SEAL would never have come out if they HAD DONE THEIR JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE.

It was these same Admirals and leaders RESPONSIBILITY to enforce OPSEC even if it was the POTUS...

No, not BS... The truth. The chain of command had a responsibility to call Purple lips out on the blatant story and lies.. They didin't..

He did the right thing.

September 7, 2012 at 9:52 pm |

firewalker

Salen is right............Robert Gates told them ALL TO KEEP QUITE on Sunday night ...Come Monday all in the NEWS.

By the way the operation was to be executed on Sat. but Obama got cold feet just like old Bill Clinton did....Obama worried about his PUBLIC RATINGS going south if things didn't go so well

September 7, 2012 at 10:00 pm |

jshrike

Yeah. Salen is absolutely right. The Chain of Command should have made the final call. The person with the command authority over the nation's armed forces, this...I suppose the term would be commander-in-chief, should have told Obama exactly what he could and couldn't sa...wait a minute...

September 8, 2012 at 2:26 am |

Ronald Hussein Reagan

There is litttle more entertaining than watching RIght WIng ideologues (such as yourself) tying themselves into knots trying to keeep from giving President Obama the credit he is due for his role in eliminating Osama Bin Ladin! Schadenfreude I think is the generic term for this feeling. THings don't loook too good for your guy in November, huh?

They do... they missed you, Monica, and that's a pretty damn huge target...

September 8, 2012 at 9:42 am |

Monica Bosse

Ha-ha-ha. You are so damn funny. Wow, glad you had such an important point to make. Was it nice seeing your name in print for saying NOTHING?

September 8, 2012 at 11:16 pm |

trollol

Announce to the terrorist that you are looking for Bergdahl, huh? If he was alive at the time of the raid, they may just kill him just to spite the author after the book was released. If he isn't dead yet then the author has made it very difficult to get him back. The BS about secret mission to rescue son sounds silly. Why would a prisoner be kept where osama bin laden is hiding? So they can risk the prisoner leaking out a message that gives away the terrorist leader's location? I don't believe the terrorists are that stupid. It sounds to me the objective was to kill on site, take no chances. Armed or not, he might have been packing hidden explosives or a detonator switch of some sort. Looking back on news of suicide bombers, I wouldn't take the idea lightly.

"Might have been detonator switch, or a bomb" – If you remember, THAT was precisely what we heard THAT DAY from the news, as they tap danced to protect OBAMA from which ever way it would eventually end up that he was killed.

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.